WorldSkills - Skill Water Technology
12.-17. October 2022 in Shanghai
Wastewater is one of the most common results of human water usage. As the interest in water increases overall, the amount of wastewater and its pollution grows globally. With the exception of highly industrial countries, wastewater is led directly back into the environment without proper treatment. As a result, human health, economic strength, the quality of freshwater resources and ecosystems are endangered.
Wastewater: Global trends
(Source: world water report of the United Nations 2017)
Countries with a high per capita income treat approximately 70 percent of their industrial communal wastewater. Countries with an income within the upper average range treat 38 percent of their wastewater. Countries, with revenue within the lower average range, treat 28 percent. Countries which have a low average income treat 8 percent of their water, only. These estimations support the thesis, according which more than 80 percent of wastewater is led back into the environment without further treatment. Countries, with a high income, mainly treat their water with progressive technologies to maintain the environment on one hand and, in case of water shortage, have alternative water supply on the other hand. However, globally it currently is the standard procedure to keep water untreated. This particular goes for developing countries, which miss out on infrastructures, technical and institutional capacities, as well as public finances.
What do water technicians do?
Water technicians monitor, assess, maintain and repair water infrastructure - infrastructure that serves people, industry, agriculture, ecology and energy production. Water technicians also prevent urban and rural areas from being flooded. They monitor water in emergencies such as floods and droughts.
Where do water technicians operate?
Water technicians operate water facilities and water supply systems. They carry out domestic connections for water supply and sewage disposal. They also work in sewers, sewer systems, wastewater treatment plants and sludge treatment plants.
They may work for industrial and agricultural water users to ensure that water is produced in the quality and quantity needed and that it is returned to nature in good quality.
What do water technicians need to know?
Water technicians need to understand ecological systems, especially the water cycle. They must have mechanical, biological and chemical skills to ensure proper water and wastewater treatment. They must also have interpersonal skills such as communication, teamwork and stress tolerance.
What are the responsibilities of water technicians?
Water technicians are able to maintain pumps, repair water leaks and water meters. They conduct daily tasks such as measuring water flow and water quality. They also evaluate control systems and perform standardized electrical repairs. They are able to handle measuring devices such as sensors and photometers.
Additionally, water technicians are trained for emergency situations such as unexpected pollution, rainwater, floods and droughts.
EWA WorldSkills Online Series A1: WorldSkills Basics for Newcomers
WorldSkills Kazan 2019 - China and India for gold
The German wastewater professional Lukas Kohl has two medals in his luggage on his way back from the World Championship of Professions in Kazan. A medal of excellence because he achieved more than 700 out of a possible 1,000 points. And the "Sustainable Practice Award", which honours environmentally conscious work and the sustainable use of working materials. In the overall ranking, the 22-year-old finished fifth in his "Water Technology" skill. Gold went to China and India for almost equal points, bronze to Singapore.
"We are very proud of Lukas", says Rüdiger Heidebrecht, Head of the Department of Education and International Cooperation at the DWA and vehement advocate of the concept of lifelong learning. "Professional competitions promote the development of young people. It is not so important to be on the winner's podium in the end."
Heidebrecht had launched the idea of participating in professional skills in the wastewater industry, initially at national level and since 2013 also via WorldSkills International. The skill "Water Technology" took place this year for the first time as an official skill. Lukas Kohl, who works at Stadtentwässerung und Umweltanalytik Nürnberg, qualified for WorldSkills because last year he was the best at the DWA's Water Skill during the IFAT industrial and environmental trade fair in Munich and in the subsequent selection process. Good performances in national preliminary decisions precede participation in the World Championship of Professions.
In Russia, eleven nations took part in the "Water Technology" skill from 22 to 27 August 2019. A total of more than 1,350 young people from around 60 countries competed in 56 different disciplines. The German national team had 39 specialists with different professions from industry, trade and services on site. The German team finished 13th in the medal classification with two gold medals and one bronze medal as well as 20 other medals of excellence.